news around the nation

For more information about the FWB Home Missions Department (now North American Ministries), please visit www.FWBNAM.com.

new missionaries introduced

MEET THE LATEST GROUP OF CHURCH PLANTERS APPROVED FOR SERVICE ACROSS THE NATION.

Jeff and Sondra Cates, Canyon County, TX With the help of daughters Whitney and Alyssa, the Cates are going to plant a Free Will Baptist church in Canyon, Texas. The Cates are Joint Project home missionaries with the state of Texas and the National Home Mission Board. Jeff comes to Home Missions from the pastorate at Primera Iglesia Bautista Libre in Weslaco, TX where he has served since 2001. He is a graduate of Free Will Baptist Bible College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pastoral/Missions. Jeff also served as co-pastor of the Ashland City FWB Church in Ashland City, TN. Amarillo is the largest city in the Texas Panhandle and is located only twelve miles from the canyon area where the church will be established. The Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the US. This general area is also the home of the American Quarter Horse Association. The Cates hope to tap into all the resources available in the canyon area to reach others for Christ.

Chris and Carla Fannin, Prescott, AZ The Fannins come to Home Missions from Lebanon FWB Church in Effingham, SC. After working in the mission ministry in Puerto Rico for some time, the family now feels that God is leading them to start a Free Will Baptist church in Prescott, Arizona. Prescott is one of the fastest growing areas in the United States. It was originally settled by Mormons and has a strong old west influence. Chris, Carla, and their children (Katherine, Jared, and Rachel) are excited about planting a church in this new area.

Howard and Patsy Gwartney, Florence, AZ

After planting a self-supporting Free Will Baptist church in Mesa, Arizona, and serving as a professor at Southeastern FWB College in North Carolina, Howard and Patsy Gwartney are partnering with Home Missions to plant a new Free Will Baptist church in Florence, Arizona. Howard is a graduate of Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College. Patsy attended Hillsdale and recently graduated from Southeastern FWB College. Florence is known as the “Cowboy Cradle of the Southwest.” The population for the area is expected to reach 200,000 within the next eight years.

Larry and Sherry Reynolds, Meridian, MS The Reynolds will plant a Free Will Baptist church in Meridian, Mississippi. They come from the pastorate at Eastside FWB Church in Dothan, Alabama. Prior to this pastorate, Larry and Sherry started a Free Will Baptist church in Chandler, Arizona. They are returning to Home Missions to take on the challenge of planting a church. The people in this area of Mississippi area are known for their pioneer spirit, both in the past and into the future. Meridian, with a population of more than 40,000, is known as the educational, industrial, and medical center of east central Mississippi. Home Missions welcomes the Reynolds and their determination to plant another church for Christ.

HOME MISSIONS TRAINING AND FELLOWSHIP

NASHVILLE, TN Missionaries from across North America will gather February 19-21, 2007 at the Hotel Preston in Nashville, TN, for training and fellowship. Rev. Paul Thompson, former church planter and pastor of Heritage Free Will Baptist Church in Gilbert, AZ, will be the keynote speaker at the event.

Rev. Chris Truett, member of the Free Will Baptist Music Commission and Minister of Music at Bethel Free Will Baptist, Kinston, NC, will conduct a music seminar.  Missionary wives will share in prayer and fellowship on Tuesday with Wanda Powell, Kathy Crowe, and Sandy Atwood.